Body supported easel



Feb. 3, 1953 vmso 2,627,139

BODY SUPPORTED EASEL Filed NOV. 21, 1950 1a 12 INVENTOR.

K L E ZZM/vmc m ALF/W050 flmazqpmmv MW ITTOR/VEVS Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT] OFFICE 2,627,139 I (21.13am SUPPORTED EASEL, e

Franklin A. Davidson, Statesvilleltfl. H t I Application November 21, 1950; SerialNo.' 19( 5;859 r p 1 1. can 01. 45- 59) i I This invention relates to easels and more particularly to a body supported easel for adjustably supporting an object, such as a canvas, pad or mat, providing a work surface, in convenient positionfor use by a person wearing the easel.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved body supported easel that is comfortable to wear and does not unduly hamper or restrict the movements of the wearer, which rigidly supports a work surface providing object in convenient position for use by the person supporting the easel, which is easily adjustable for use in either a standing or sitting position of the user, and to compensate for different shapes and sizes of persons using the device, and which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and neat and attractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claim in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a human figure with an easel illustrative of the invention operatively supported on the figure;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the easel illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 6-2 of Figure 2.

With continued reference to the drawing, the easel comprises a supporting plate In of elongated, rectangular shape and formed of a suit able rigid material, such as sheet metal. This plate is longitudinally curved to fit the front part of the waist or abdomen and two straps H and i2 are secured one to each end of the plate It! and extend longitudinally therefrom. One of the straps, for example, the strap H, carries a buckle l3 and the strap I2 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apart holes for the buckle tongue so that the straps can be adjustably connected together about the waist of the person supporting the easel.

Two brackets I4 and I are secured to the convex side of the plate If), one at each end thereof and each of these brackets has a substantially semicircular portion, as designated at is for the bracket l5, provided with a central aperture, and a radial projection 11 providing an elongated straight edge l8 adjacent the convex side of the plate In, the extensions ll of the two brackets projecting upwardly above the top edge of the plate when the easel is supported I in operative position, as -illustrated in Figure A'U-shaped bail 20 is-formed of a metal rod of suitable length and diameter and circular blocks 2| and 22 aresecured one to each end 1 r the bail 20. Each of the blocks 2: and-22 is provided with a central aperture and these blocks are respectively disposed at -corresponding sides of the brackets l4 and I5, as is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

A metal rod 23 extends through the registering apertures in the brackets l4 and I5 and the apertures of the corresponding blocks 2i and 22 and provides a pivotal connection between the bail 20 and the plate ID. This rod is rigidly secured to the blocks 2| and 22 and a spring abutment 2G, in the form of a hand knob is secured on one end of the rod and spaced from the side of the bracket l5 remote from the block 22.

A coiled compression spring surrounds the rod between the abutment 24 and the adjacent side of the bracket I5 and resiliently urges the blocks 2! and 22 into contact with the adjacent surfaces of the brackets l4 and I5 respectively.

One of the brackets, for example, the bracket i5, is provided with a circular series of recesses 26 in the surface thereof adjacent the block 22 which circular series of recesses concentrically surrounds the aperture in this bracket receiving the rod 23. A pin or detent 21 is carried by the block 22 and projects from the surface of this block adjacent the bracket Hi. This pin 2'! is selectively engageable in the recesses 26 to hold the bail 20 in various positions of angular adjustment relative to the plate ID.

The detent is releasable from a recess in which it is engaged by forcing the knob or abutment 24 toward the bracket 15 against the force of spring 25, thereby moving blocks 2! and 22 away from the corresponding brackets l4 and IS. The rod can then be rotated by the knob or abutment 24 until the bail is brought to the desired angular position whereupon the pressure on spring 25 may be released and the spring will bring the blocks 2| and 22 back into engagement with the brackets l4 and I5, seating the detent 21 in the selected recess 26.

Clips 28 and 29 are mounted on the ball is adjacent the blocks 2| and 22 respectively, and a rectangular drawing board 30 is mounted on the bail and secured in position thereon by the clips 28 and 29 engaging the board at the edge of the latter adjacent the rod 23.

A mat 3| may be mounted on the board 38 by suitable clips or thumbtacks or a suitable pad may be secured on the board. If desired, the board may be entirely replaced by a framed canvas secured on the bail 20 by the clips 28 and 29.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and hot restrictive, the scope of the invention bjeing indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claim are, there'- fore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

A body supported easel comprising a longitudinally curved elongated plate of, rigid mate'- rial, straps of flexible material secured one to each end of said plate and extending therefrom, means on at least one of said straps for adjustably securing said straps together about the body of a person supporting the easel, apertured brackets secured to the convex side of said plate one ateach end thereof, a U shaped bail, apertured blocks secured one to each end of said bail and respectively disposed at corresponding sides of said brackets, a rod extending through said 4 blocks and said brackets and secured to said blocks, a spring abutment on one end of said rod, a spring disposed between said abutments and the adjacent bracket resiliently urging said blocks into contact with the corresponding brackets, at least one of said brackets having a circular series of recesses in the surface thereof opposed to the adjacent block, a detent carried by said adjacent block and selectively engageable in said recesses to support said bail in various positions of angular adjustment relative to said plate,

clips secured on said bail one adjacent each of said blocks, and a board mounted on said bail andv secured in position thereon by said clips.

FRANKLIN A. DAVIDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

